Border Patrol Agent Killed at Brian Terry Station in Arizona

Two border patrol agents were shot at a patrol station in southern Arizona this morning, ABC15 News reports. Nicholas J. Ivie died from his wounds and a second injured agent was airlifted to a hospital with nonlife-threatening injuries.

The shooting occurred at Brian Terry Station, recently renamed after the last border patrol officer to be killed, in December 2010. Weapons found near the scene of the Terry shooting were linked to the U.S. government's botched Fast and Furious operation.

Three agents were patrolling on horseback around 2 a.m. and went to investigate a tripped alarm from a sensor along the border, Cochise County Sheriff's spokeswoman Carol Capas told ABC15 News. Two agents were shot while a third agent was unharmed. Capas said the authorities have not identified any suspects and do not know if the agents returned fire.

The Federal Bureau of Investigation and the Cochise County Sheriff's Office are investigating this morning's shooting.

U.S. Customs and Border Protection has issued a statement by Deputy Commissioner David V. Aguilar:

"Last night, the U.S. Customs and Border Protection family suffered the loss of Border Patrol Agent Nicholas J. Ivie at the hands of criminals operating on the border near Naco, Arizona. Another agent was also wounded and was treated at a local hospital. Agent Ivie died in the line of duty, protecting our nation against those who threaten our way of life. His death only strengthens our resolve to enforce the rule of law and bring those responsible to justice. Our thoughts and prayers are with Agent Ivie's family and friends in this difficult time."